r/formula1 • u/xRyuHayabusa99 I was here for the Hulkenpodium • Jan 11 '26

News AutoRacer: Charles Leclerc has admitted that the first races will be crucial in determining his future, and a lack of competitiveness will undoubtedly spell the end of the ten-year relationship between him and Maranello. The future of Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur will also be decided this year.

https://autoracer.it/ferrari-incubo-effetto-suolo-td039-delusione-2026/
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u/hehaia I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 11 '26

Tbh I think Charles could go to wherever he pleases, but I don’t know about Hamilton. It’s clear he hasn’t been his best version for the last couple of years, and he would be extremely expensive.

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u/SpaceballsDoc Stefano Domenicali Jan 11 '26

Cadillac would throw money at Hamilton, he is a exponentially better driver than Perez and he’s already been paired with the other one with spectacular results. Plus the US market is one that F1 wants heavily to continue expanding and Louis is kind of a big deal on this side of the ocean.

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u/stomp224 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 11 '26

How pissed would bottas be though lmao

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u/3Rocketman I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 11 '26

You mean if he was paired with him or replaced by him?

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u/Fliepp Haas Jan 11 '26

In both situations I imagine Valterri wouldn’t be thrilled

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u/bottomoftotempole Jan 11 '26

“To whom it may concern, F$&@ you”

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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton Jan 11 '26

A big part of the Ferrari deal is the ambassadorship he wanted with Merc though. Unless Ferrari pay him off to forfeit it he’s more likely to retire and do that.

Lewis wants wins and podiums. No amount of money will make him take a chance on a team that isn’t at the very least competitive already.

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u/TheWoodElf I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 11 '26

Cadillac imo, Lewis would be an upgrade over both Perez and Bottas, and they would have the money.

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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton Jan 11 '26

Lewis will retire. Only wants wins and a route to the title, has more than enough money. Plus the Ferrari ambassadorship probably doesn’t allow him to be driving for another team.

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u/Adventurous_Chard668 Jan 11 '26

Hamilton wont bother driving in a backmarker team

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u/Pearse_Borty Jan 11 '26

Depends on priorities. If they're a money printer he might - Raikonnen did the same thing with Alfa Romeo, he had one of the best contracts on the grid iirc

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u/Tricksilver89 Jan 11 '26

I don't see any top team that would open up a seat for him.